State attorney encourages teen court advocates

Published: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 5:51 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 5:51 p.m.

PALM COAST — State Attorney R.J. Larizza told a group from the Florida Association of Teen Courts meeting in Palm Coast on Thursday that they have to be creative.

And Larizza gave them an example of some personal creativity from before he was state attorney for the 7th Circuit and came home to find his teenage daughter and a young man he had never met before fully dressed but alone and sitting on a bed.

Larizza said he didn't want a confrontation with his daughter, so he thought quickly, grabbed a chair and accomplished his goal.

"I said, 'Wouldn't you be more comfortable sitting in a chair?' " Larizza said.

Larizza told the approximately 30 adult members of the Florida Association of Teen Courts to think outside the box.

"Here's my challenge to you — be creative," he said. "Don't be afraid to say, 'What can I do to make this better?' For me, it was getting the chair, but I had to think about it and I had to care about it."

Marian Irvin, teen court coordinator at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell, was the host for the conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in Palm Coast. In teen court, an offender must admit guilt to participate. A jury of other teens recommends punishment for offenses such as shoplifting, vandalism and fighting.

Teen court allows for a defendant's criminal court case to be dismissed and there is no blotch on their record. The punishment can include community service and an apology.

Larizza said most kids sent to teen courts don't re-offend, but a small percentage do.

"Most don't come back," he said. "When they do, they come back a second time, a third time and a fourth time."

He told members of the Florida Association of Teen Courts that they were an integral part of the solution.

"You are the pure heart and soul of the juvenile system at its best," Larizza said. "You are not making big bucks. You are not doing this because you are going to be able to retire early. You are doing this because you care. You have a passion for it."

Another speaker was Circuit Judge John M. Alexander, who said his two daughters served as jurors, prosecutors and defense attorneys when they were teens. Alexander advised parents to stop trying to be their children's friends. He said some parents say to him that they would rather have their kids do drugs at their house than on the street.

"What kind of parents are you?" Alexander said, describing his reaction. "You are not supposed to be your kids' best friends."

Alexander said a great deal of the problem for teens who get in trouble stems from growing up in dysfunctional homes with single parents.

Alexander said single parents need to find some backup. One way to do that is to get their kids involved in church and community groups.

He said his father never asked him whether he had met his needs that day.